Print Story Doing the photo challenge over at Photographica
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By ObviousTroll (Sat Aug 16, 2008 at 03:41:15 PM EST) (all tags)
I've been asked to pick the next bi-weekly challenge over at photographica. I've got two ideas on what to do - one is to do a challenge on Depth of Field: the photographers are of various skill levels and I think they'd appreciate a tutorial on how to use the "A" setting on their cameras.

The other possibility is what I've written below. Please let me know! I've only got a few hours to throw this away and do some shots for a DoF lesson!



So, I'm here to tell you about your next bi-weekly challenge. But first, let me tell you about the bike ride I just took. I rode 55 miles and it was great. The weather was perfect - not too hot, not too cool. And I don't know if it was my new tires, or if I'm getting stronger as a rider, or if it was the energy drinks I brought with me, but I was flying. For the first 20 miles, I averaged over 17 miles per hour! On a mountain bike! I rode from west of Valley Forge, through the national park, all the way down to the Philadelphia Museum of Art - and I was so pumped when I got there that I kept going. I rode across the city of my birth, checking out the shops on Chestnut Street. I visited Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the new National Constitution Center, too. I saw monuments, horse drawn carriages and a group of a hundred tourists riding a duck. I rode my bike past Philadelphia City Hall - which is considered the finest example in the country of the "Second Empire" style.

As I looped back, I crossed Drexel University - my old Alma Mater - and I marveled at all the new buildings and how much the old concrete campus has evolved. When I passed 30th Street Station, I stopped and gave directions and dining recommendations to three exquisitely beautiful women on vacation from the U.K.

Then I rode past our nation's oldest zoo, and I checked out the hot air balloon. I saw boathouse row, and I saw engineers actually blocking off and draining a part of the river.

As I followed the river out of the city, I saw kids using a rope swing, I saw wild flowers and a lovely little trail-side garden. I saw the wreckage of an 8-alarm fire that left almost 400 people homeless and made the national news. I came to parts of the trail that were, literally, "bumper to bumper" with riders, skaters, runners and walkers. (And I really, um, enjoyed the view of all the young ladies running in teams, getting ready for the fall season.)

And I'd really, really, love to show all these great things, but I can't.

Because I forgot my camera.

Actually, it's even worse than that. I didn't "forget" my camera. I mean, I thought about bringing it. But I couldn't be bothered. I thought about bringing my wife's old P&S instead but, really, what were the odds I'd see anything worth shooting?

So I didn't bring my camera. And so I missed out.

And that's this week's photo challenge: to remember your camera. Where ever you go. It doesn't have to be your DSLR. I'm sure you've got an old P&S someplace. Maybe it's your old camera, or maybe it belongs to your S.O., but they just leave it in a drawer, unused. Your job is to bring it and use it.

Now, that doesn't mean you should just shoot willy-nilly at everything you see. The down side of digital cameras is that they make it too easy to capture hundreds of images without taking a single photograph. Instead, focus your eyes and your mind. See what's happening around you. Think about what's happening around you. Think about what's important to you. 

And, then, when you're ready, take the picture. Show us something great, something unexpected, something you never thought you'd take a picture of.

Something you'll remember forever.

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Doing the photo challenge over at Photographica | 8 comments (8 topical, 0 hidden) | Trackback
I lost already. by wumpus (2.00 / 0) #1 Sat Aug 16, 2008 at 08:25:50 PM EST
Thought about the camera, had it out, but the batteries weren't charged.

Wumpus

Did you do the charge up the art museum stairs, or is that only for runner/joggers?



Yeah... they get cranky by ObviousTroll (2.00 / 0) #2 Sat Aug 16, 2008 at 08:31:03 PM EST
when you go tearing up the steps on a bicycle.

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Has anybody seen my clue? I know I had it when I came in here.
[ Parent ]

here's my question by yankeehack (2.00 / 0) #3 Sat Aug 16, 2008 at 09:22:26 PM EST
Other than the fact that it was a beautiful day today...how was the ride between VF and Philly? Sketchy? Which way did you go?

Also, maybe I missed it, but I don't understand why the Conshy fire got so much press.
****
You know what is funny? I voted for McCain in 2000 and Obama in 2008. (And let's not forget Edwards in 1998.)


I took the trail by ObviousTroll (2.00 / 0) #4 Sat Aug 16, 2008 at 09:42:33 PM EST
From Oaks (St. Gabe's Hall) down the river trail to Manayunk (where you have to get on the street) and onto Kelly Drive.

It was actually a great ride. I made sure I ate before I left, so I didn't have the fatigue and cramping that I did after the ride up to Reading.

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Has anybody seen my clue? I know I had it when I came in here.
[ Parent ]

That would require ... by R343L (2.00 / 0) #5 Sat Aug 16, 2008 at 10:45:19 PM EST
That my camera (a) not be the volume of a paperback novel (or more), and (b) take less than 8 seconds to record a picture.

But when I finally get a tiny P&S that slips in my purse or my coat pocket? Yeah, I'll always have it.

"There will be time, there will be time / To prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet." -- Eliot


That's a really lousy camera by ObviousTroll (2.00 / 0) #6 Sat Aug 16, 2008 at 10:54:57 PM EST
but I'm guessing you aren't in the intended audience for the challenge.

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Has anybody seen my clue? I know I had it when I came in here.
[ Parent ]

well... by R343L (2.00 / 0) #7 Sat Aug 16, 2008 at 11:37:13 PM EST
It was the absolute cheapest Fuji digital camera that Best Buy had in 2004.

I do like taking pictures -- I've taken a lot with that camera. But, well, it just takes too long for quickly taking a snap of something awesome whilst biking around the city...

"There will be time, there will be time / To prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet." -- Eliot
[ Parent ]

Definitely one of the problems with by ObviousTroll (2.00 / 0) #8 Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 08:26:17 AM EST
older digital cameras.

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Has anybody seen my clue? I know I had it when I came in here.
[ Parent ]

Doing the photo challenge over at Photographica | 8 comments (8 topical, 0 hidden) | Trackback